Did you know that one in eight adults in the UK (around 6.5 million people) are carers in one way or another? No doubt most of us know at least one person who cares for someone else.
A carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older.
There is no question that caring impacts on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and work. Although it can be rewarding for the carer, it’s not without its challenges at times.
Carers’ Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring and highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify themselves as carers and access much-needed support.
Edinburgh Napier is getting involved in various activities to mark this year’s Carers' Week which takes place from 6 to 12 June.
You don’t have to be a carer to get involved, everyone is welcome to attend, whether you currently care for someone, know or manage someone with caring responsibilities.
We have a mix of in-person and virtual events, so if you’re interested, then here’s what you can look forward to during Carers’ Week:
Carers Network – Get Together
Monday 6 June, 1pm - 2.30pm, Sighthill campus
Join Gary Hutchison, Sponsor of the Carers Network, as he launches Carers' Week at ENU with the first in-person reunion for the Carers Network since 2020. Opening up the conversation with a short film, the discussion will be followed by refreshments, with the opportunity for all to catch up. Open to all members and non-members.
Register for the event here
Information Session on Power of Attorney
Tuesday 7 June, 12pm - 1pm, Online
Caring for someone else raises a lot of administrative needs. To help you navigate the different legal options, the University lawyers will provide an overview of those topics, followed by a Q&A:
- Powers of Attorney
- Residential care
- Passing funds to disabled children and thinking about trusts.
Register for the event here
Wellbeing for Carers
Wednesday 8 June, 2pm - 3pm, Online
Caring for someone can be very rewarding but there is no doubt it can use a lot of physical and emotional energy. It’s all too easy to forget about your own mental and physical wellbeing when supporting someone else’s needs on a daily basis. Join Kerry Watson, Psychotherapist, as she shares her own experiences as a carer and discusses the importance of personal wellbeing for carers.
You will find the programme, as well as TedTalk videos about the impact of caring on the Carers' Week intranet page.
Remember, the University’s Carers’ Network is available all year round. A supportive and engaged group of staff with a diverse range of caring responsibilities or keen interest in care issues, it also provides a valuable platform for discussion of the many issues affecting the balance between work and home.